‘Thor: The Dark World’ – Trailer Analysis

Marvel's Phase Two may be in full swing (no pun), but details or concrete evidence concerning Thor: The Dark World have been hard to find, beyond set photos and a plot synopsis.
But now that the official Thor 2 trailer has been released, fans can start truly speculating on the story that Marvel has in mind, and how it will play out on the big screen. We've decided to take a closer look at what's been shown, alluded to, foreshadowed, or hinted at in the trailer.
So from here on out, there may be potential spoilers for all readers (if our analysis is correct). You have been warned.

Magic Levitation

With the realm of Asgard, Norse mythology and limitless magic all at the filmmakers' disposal, it is a bit odd that the trailer begins with a child witnessing a gas tanker hovering feet off the ground. It's unclear if the truck is being lifted by the kids witnessing the physics-defying stunt, or if the truck has been rendered weightless, but regardless, something isn't right.
Strange magic and deception are all key elements of the source material The Dark World will be drawing from, so anything's possible. But given the later information revealed about this scene, it's likely that Malekith the Accursed is behind the stunt.
The truck is later seen on its side, surrounded by police and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), leading us to believe that whatever happens, Thor soon discovers that the fight has already begun.

Cloaked in Shadow

The post-credits scene for The Avengers proved that Marvel really does enjoy keeping their villains behind a cloak of darkness, but given what we know of Thor 2, we'd bet these shots are of the Dark Elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). As the narration by Anthony Hopkins' 'Odin' informs us - and without going too in-depth into Norse mythology - it's safe to say that the Elves' history goes far, far into the past.
Exactly how the film version of Malekith will differ from the comic book isn't clear, but as was the case with Thor (2011), expect a good old-fashioned lust for power and rule to drive his desire. By the surroundings, we'd guess that these shots show the interior of Malekith's fortress or flagship, but the reason for his less-than-comfortable position is a mystery.
Either way, expect this moody setting to act as a suitable backdrop for the 'Dark Elf's dealings and scheming. We know he's the kind of villain who likes to get his hands dirty, but we also know he'll have other troops to order around as well.

London Attacked (Again)

We don't know what it is about London that movie super-villains just can't stand, but we'd recommend Brits take it as a compliment that launching an attack against the city means the whole planet will take notice.
In this case, it looks to be an otherworldly spacecraft doing the damage, even if it isn't pictured launching any weaponry, merely wreaking havoc on masonry (there's a ship seen firing in the trailer, but it doesn't appear to be this ship. Up to this point, the exact interaction that Malekith's forces and Earth would have has been largely unknown; this sequence seems to imply that Earth may fall under direct attack, offering context for set photos of Thor in London.The design of the ship seems to fit with Malekith's style, but your guess is as good as ours.

Thor's New Ride

There was never any doubt that Thor would be returning to Earth as promised, even if he did do it for The Avengers, arriving through undisclosed means and leaving with his wayward brother Loki by using the Tesseract. But in the trailer, he's clearly found a new way to get from point A to B.With the Bifrost ('rainbow bridge') destroyed at the climax of Thor, the film left fans wondering how Asgard and Earth would ever again be linked. It was hinted that Jane Foster (Portman) would uncover the secret, but it seems the solution is Asgardian in nature.The beam of light certainly looks the same as the Bifrost did (along with the runes left burned into the ground), so barring some clever exposition, the filmmakers may have realized that fans are more concerned with seeing Thor on Earth than the research required to make it happen. Well, most fans, anyway.

Three's a Crowd

While Thor's return to Earth may mean one heck of a vacation for Jane Foster, her arrival in Asgard isn't good news to everyone. The trailer makes it hard to miss Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and what looks to be her somewhat suspicious gaze.
Alexander has talked at length about the history between Thor and Sif being a major theme in the upcoming sequel, and with such a strong hint supplied in the very first trailer, it may be playing an even larger role than we may have thought.
It's unlikely that Sif will do anything to remove Jane from the situation altogether (even if Sif and Thor are married in Norse mythology), but the love triangle between the three should give Alexander more time in the spotlight. And more of an opportunity to see if she's a good candiate to play Wonder Woman.

Shaky Alliance

One of the 'blink and you miss it' shots of the trailer shows not just an icy setting, but Thor, Jane Foster, and Loki travelling together. Loki's actions in The Avengers may make an alliance seem unlikely, but the trailer also shows that Loki isn't quite the villain he used to be.
So how do we explain the three of them traveling together? Well, previously-released spoilers from someone close to production help explain this scene: only Loki knows the way to access the 'dark side' of Asgard where Malekith sits plotting, so Thor must free him from bondage in exchange for guidance.
Why Jane is being brought along isn't clear, but with much of the talk about Loki centering on his possible redemption in The Dark World, it's hard to know if this shot reveals a trickster god already reformed, or simply biding his time.

Science and Magic

One of the most suspicious (and brightest) shots of the new trailer is one depicting a prone Jane Foster reclined on a bed of light, seemingly undergoing an intense experience. Since Asgardians aren't known for their tanning beds, this shot has us scratching our heads.
Foster's clothing definitely looks closer to that of Earth than the Asgardian finery she is seen wearing in other sections of the trailer, but both the light and her strange expression imply that the scene is one of magic and sorcery, not something here on Earth.
Is this the work of Thor's enemies, striking at his weakest spot, or does Jane's journey from Earth to Asgard entail more of a transformation than we previously thought?

Home Invasion

Before the first full look at Malekith's half-scorched face is given, viewers are treated to a close-up look at his stunning braid; but in the background, it certainly seems like Asgard' biggest threat has found his way into Odin's palace.
While the architecture seen behind the Dark Elf could be from anywhere in Asgard, it is likely no coincidence that both Jane Foster and Thor's mother Frigga (Rene Russo) seem taken off guard in what should be the safest place in the nine realms.
We don't know how deadly Frigga will be with the sword she's brandishing, but with rumors surrounding her relationship with both Thor and Loki, and massive spoilers about her character arc, this scene sets the stage for a heck of a fight.

Sacrifice

The climax of the trailer - and the justification for Thor's 'Noooooo!' - is Jane Foster helplessly suspended in the air, apparently at Malekith's mercy. A knowing look towards the camera, and Thor's pained cry would lead us (intentionally) to believe that his love is taken from him before his eyes.
Of course, that seems like a plot twist far too significant to reveal in the first teaser trailer. So before anyone uses this footage as ironclad proof of Jane Foster's death in the film, we'd remind you all that not all the normal rules apply in Asgard (remember 'the Odin sleep'?).
Jane may be hurt, killed, or even kidnapped, but with Odin's magic (both light and dark) at hand, nothing is forever. That being said, the filmmakers obviously want to send the message that just like in director Alan Taylor's previous job, no character is safe.

Conclusion

Those are the moments from the newest trailer that most stood out to us, even if the questions they raise far outnumber the answers.Hopefully the next trailer will go more into depth concerning Malekith, Loki, Jane and much, much more.
Be sure to share your own insights or theories in the comments.
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Thor: The Dark World hits theaters on November 8, 2013.
Follow Andrew on Twitter @andrew_dyce.

Nice Job Andrew Dyce I always look forward to a good Trailer analysis and I think this puts things in perspective in particular the potential for a love triangle. I’ve always been a big fan of Lady Sif I hope she has more action. For me she’s always been the one that Thor truly loves. Do you think it will actually get to be a true love triangle, to the point that Thor actually has a decision to make or will end up being more a longing for Thor or might she actually get to express it & have it turn out to be more unrequited love?

The whole London being attacked in recent hollywood movies may simply be that US cities being variously levelled by aliens and bad guys has been done so many times in the past.. Independence Day onwards…

When the source leaked details about Thor two he said that Jane Foster will fall under dark magic and Thor Loki and her would have to travel to the dark world the trailer seems to be teasing just that.

It’s nice to see London (and by extension, England and the UK) getting some screen time nowadays, even if it is as a target for the baddies (I’m looking at you John Harrison!)… Perhaps Hollywood are realising there is more on this planet than the US.

In my dark mind, Jane dies for good in the portal and Thor seeks revenge, only to be talked out of it as he was about to deliver the final blow. They’ll find a way, however, to cheat death so that way Jane could live. If Jane dies, I don’t want her to be revived. This makes the emotional scenes pointless. I hate that when a film decides to cheat death like Evil Dead Remake.

It’s your OWN opinion that its bad ,not everyone else’s. Don’t use your own opinion and base it as the norm. I don’t need you to spoil the movie for me or anyone else that hasn’t seen it. Do you see anything regarding the evil dead in this article? ….NO….. Cause you know why? It’s a freaken THOR article. So you ARE a selfish jerk that decided to ruin a movie for everyone just because you didn’t like it.

The world doesn’t revolve around you, just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean you can ruin it for everyone else.

Before you insult me in front of everyone, tone down the language. I was comparing a possibility of where Thor 2 can go with the evil dead remake. I might be taking advantage of a loophole presented where they said only no Iron Man 3 and Star Trek spoilers but Im not breaking any rules regardless. Only you are with breaking the rule No Profanity or personal attacks.

Im not dumb by the way. The world doesn’t revolve around me but guess what, it doesn’t revolve around you either. Choose your words wisely before attacking me.

Well looks like my whole comment didn’t post for some reason but I’m really looking forward to this movie! Thor was easily my favorite film of phase one. Hemsworth was the highlight of the avengers for me as far as characters go. He portrays Thor so perfectly. I see Jane ending things with him this movie. I don’t think they will kill her off but I think they will conclude their relationship which sucks because I actually really like the foster character and their relationship from the first one

You say undisclosed means of how Thor was able to get back to Earth. When Thor and Loki first talk in the Avengers Loki does say something to the extent of “How much dark magic did the allfather have to muster up to get you here?” And of course Thor couldn’t return to Asgard without the
Cube so there you go.

This is only debatable within the context of what has been shown in the Marvel movies, so far. As early as Journey into Mystery issues, Thor has used Mjolnir to travel back and forth between Earth and Asgard. He can, in fact, open gateways to many dimensions, as well as open portals to travel within a dimension.

It’s pretty evident that Jane dies, I had a feeling she’d die. I knew potentially that would happen. Kind of sucks for Thor though. I’m so excited to see this movie for the plot and what happens. Looks amazing. I wish this was coming out instead of Iron Man 3.

Thor Dark World could well prove to be the highest grossing CBM of the year.

Ok so trailer wasn’t absolutely mindblowing, but better to have an upward curve of quality with each successive trailer than a downward one. We’ve seen the effect this can have on ones anticipation withe the Man Of Steel 3rd trailer.

I thought the trailer was alright. I do think hemsworth would look better in the kilt-like mesh armor. What he is wearing on his legs (in the pic above) is fine, just match the kilt armor with what he is wearing on his upper-body and place that kilt armor around his waist, and I think it would look better. Also, no helmet? I am assuming it is probably because the directors felt it didn’t fit hemsworth, much like how batman’s cowl did not fit val kilmer; but what is going with the lack of helmet’s and masks in comic book movies about characters who wear them?

In addition, I think that the shot of sif in the trailer is not really sif, but amora the enchantress. Remember folks, the enchantress can do several different things and masking her appearance is one of them. I would say, don’t assume anything is what it may appear to be in the film. Also, i do think the enchantress may somehow or someway be helping malekith. Whose to say that the shot of jane foster in the trailer, appearing to be killed by the dark troll is not really the enchantress, teaming up with the dark troll for their own individual goals. The dark troll gets what he wants pertaining to asgard, while the encahntress gets to “help” thor through his agony of supposedly losing jane, allowing the enchantress to take on the role of thor’s consoler, in her attempt to get thor to fall in love with her. Enchantress could compete with sif because both are asgardians and both can do incredible things, but it is the simplicity of jane foster that attracts thor, something that sif and the enchantress both lack. It may have been awhile but i do believe the enchantress attemped this same trick in the books.

When I first saw it, I think it was just an okay trailer…
but after I watched it again and again, it showed a significant bigger weight for Thor and a definite serious tone.
Regarding Jane, I’ve stated this before… but will there be any effect of her going to Asgard? You know, mere human, go to heaven stuff… things might get unexpected. It’s obvious Jane will suffer something and Thor is forced to search Malekith with the help of Loki. Although the whole NOOOOOO might be a dream sequence too haha

I really, really, hope they give the ol kill-shot to Jane, but that won’t happen. My money is on Odin getting killed off, and inspiring Loki to redeem himself like they did in the ‘Seige’ Marvel event.